Just got the March 2018 issue of P4W&OR magazine. It seems the new Rubicon will have HD-er axles, 100lbs lighter, fully boxed high strength steel frame w/5 cross members & the lockers can be engaged & disengaged on the fly up to 30 mph in 4 Lo. They also put a work-around in the sway bar disconnect....in case you want to go with 1 tons. Also, 33" tires are now standard, 35" tires can be added with only a 2" lift to get zero rubbing at full turn/full flex. Bigger rotors. A lower 1st gear in the 8 sp auto: 4.71:1 & the 6 sp manual (only avail w/3.6L Pentastar engine): 5.13:1. For the first time in History, the new Jeep Rubicon beats my G56 crawl ratio. Mine is 78:1. The new jeeps are 77.2:1 for the auto & 84.2:1 for the manual !!! Impressive indeed !!! Engines---will be 3. A 2.0L di turbocharged I-4 w/270 hp & 295 lb-ft of torque. A 3.0L V-6 EcoDiesel (2019 launch date) w/260hp & 442 lb-ft of torque. And the 3.6L Pentastar engine.

I am seriously going to consider the Scrambler version of this when it comes out... I find myself needing to tow heavy less and less, and my neighbor will let me use his 1-ton Chevy anytime I want so long as I let him use my dump trailer whenever he wants.

The new Scrambler will supposedly pull 6,500lb with the diesel. Plenty for my usual needs. If it comes in a Rubicon package, it's basically going to be a mini Power Wagon, sans winch (most likely). It'll probably be just as expensive, but smaller, and a hell of a lot better on fuel. Plus, if it comes in a convertible, the dogs won't want to ever get out of the thing!

All Wrangler based Jeeps are convertibles, aren't they ? Just take the doors off, roof off & fold down the front windshield when off-road. Doors should still come off, even if roof don't. Wonder what rear axle will come with that 6500 lb tow rating ?

Yeah, but no one knows what the roof is going to be on the new truck version... I'm hoping it's like the old CJ-8, with a short, easily removed hardtop (although this one will only be available in a 4 door apparently), and the option for a soft top/bikini. The doors should certainly be removable, just gotta worry about side mirrors when you take them off (not like the old CJ's where they mounted to the windshield hinges).

There was a picture floating around of the CAD drawing for the rear end... it's not a Dana 60, or a 10.5", but that's the size range it's in, so it could just be a slightly modified version of either of those. It's definitely bigger than the D44, or 9.25" (which would still be more than capable of towing 6500lb).